New car opinions - Fabia RS or Octavia 118

[Martin]

^ thats because theres not many people with Fabia vRS's on here.

I was going to say exactly the same thing...

A number of my friends have checked out my Octavia and decided not to buy one because it's too small
It certainly is a small wagon, and that's it ace, it's a wagon for people that don't need a big full time wagon but is still an easy size to use/park etc

It's both nice/comfortable and fun to drive - the vRS is very well equiped (not sure about the 118TSI)

[BrashDaniels]

Either way you're going to be facing the high potential of multiple clutch replacements, extreme oil consumption and mechatronic unit failures with either car, if it was me, I'd be negotiating for any other model that doesn't have either the twincharged 1.4 motor or the 7spd dry clutch dsg.

Thanks for throwing the wet blanket in on a fun thread.

SKODA are generally assembled in the Czech Republic, not
China, South Africa, Mexico, or Germany.

It has been well documented in many countries that SKODA simply isn't suffering the
volume of issues the VW's are.

The assertion is that QC at the SKODA assembly plant catches more (not all of course) problems before they reach the consumer.

I grant that many Australian SKODA haven't got big miles on them yet, but Euro and UK vehicles do, where the Yeti, Octavia, and Superb sell like hot cakes.

People ARE having problems, but not as many, and SKODA, both in the UK and Australia, are documented (not anecdoted) as being more invested in customer satisfaction.

For the record, my 1.4 stopped using excess oil at 8000 Km. I couldn't be happier. Ask anyone at happy laps how hard the Fabia goes.

Stay positive people,

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk HD

[gavs]

New car opinions - Fabia RS or Octavia 118

Thanks for throwing the wet blanket in on a fun thread.

SKODA are generally assembled in the Czech Republic, not
China, South Africa, Mexico, or Germany.

It has been well documented in many countries that SKODA simply isn't suffering the
volume of issues the VW's are.

The assertion is that QC at the SKODA assembly plant catches more (not all of course) problems before they reach the consumer.

I grant that many Australian SKODA haven't got big miles on them yet, but Euro and UK vehicles do, where the Yeti, Octavia, and Superb sell like hot cakes.

People ARE having problems, but not as many, and SKODA, both in the UK and Australia, are documented (not anecdoted) as being more invested in customer satisfaction.

For the record, my 1.4 stopped using excess oil at 8000 Km. I couldn't be happier. Ask anyone at happy laps how hard the Fabia goes.

Stay positive people,

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk HD

You're welcome but I think that if you dig further you will find that there exactly the same issues, they're just not as prevalent due to volume of vehicle sales. The engines and gearboxes all come the same plants so quality control relating to them is null. HOWEVER, I do personally believe that VAG have been smarter about engine choices in the Skoda range. The 1.8T motor is a gem and its only downfall is the horrible gearbox bolted to it. My pick out of Fabia RS or Octavia 118 would be the Octavia with a manual. If you can't stump up to the Octavia RS then the 118 with manual is a bloody good alternative. My advice an that of many industry experts is to steer away from anything with the DQ200 dsg in it, it's not a question of if, but when the issues will arise. If you don't mind the voided warranty aspect, get the dq200 but give Harding Performance a call and get their dsg software installed. It is proven to extend the life of the gearbox and especially clutch packs exponentially.

[BluChris]

"SKODA, both in the UK and Australia, are documented (not anecdoted) as being more invested in customer satisfaction." Ah, no. One out of two. Skoda Aus, pretty average just like VW. We can only dream of the UK service experience.

As for the car, like gavs said get a 118 manual. Otherwise if you must have DSG then you really should take the diesel for a drive because it is the more robust wet clutch 6 speed DSG. Stay away from the DQ200.

Likewise, the idea that it's a lease car so problems don't matter amazes me. Lease or not, life is too short for chronic, repeating problems with a sick car and multiple trips to the dealer to maybe fix or not. Go for the models with the most proven drivetrain. Will give you more satisfaction and end up in better resale value. See the Polo 6R class action thread - a dealer just offered 6K trade on a GTI because he knew about the issues and didn't want a bar of it.

[Martin]

SKODA are generally assembled in the Czech Republic, not
China, South Africa, Mexico, or Germany.

That's a common misconception
Have a look at the manufacturing and assembly locations detailed on Wikipedia

Skoda have maufacturing facilties in:

• China
• Czech Republic
• India
• Kazakhstan
• Russia
• Slovakia
• Ukraine
• Bulgaria

Octavia manufacturing history:

• 1996–2010 Czech Republic
• 2001–2011 Ukraine
• 2002–2010 India
• 2005–2011 Kazakhstan

Octavia Assembly:

• Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic
• Vrchlabi, Czech Republic
• Kaluga, Russia
• Bratislava, Slovakia
• Anting, China (SWV)
• Solomonovo, Ukraine
• Aurangabad, India (Škoda India)
• Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan[3]
• Luanda, Angola (Ancar)

Skoda Fabia Assembly 2007 to present:

• Mladá Boleslav,
• Czech Republic Aurangabad
• India (Škoda India)(CKD)
• Oskemen, Kazakhstan (Azia Avto)
• Anting, China (SVW)
• Solomonovo, Ukraine (Eurocar)

[brenw]

If you get an Octavia id get the 90TSI in manual. Great engine and gearbox combo.

The 1.4 twincharge engines have a lot of problems and to be honest i would advise against getting a car with this engine.

Either way, my brother Mitchell is the manager at Newcastle Skoda so he will look after you on whatever you choose to get.

Went to see Mitchell today, he was very helpful. Took both for a drive, and decided on the Octavia 118 (gotta get a DSG, as there doesn't seem to be any manuals around, which I would have preffered). There were a few things in the Fabia that would annoy me after a while I think, so the extra space and better spec of the Octavia won me over; and they've dropped in price, so the boss will be happy! But the Fabia was great fun to drive!!

Thanks for all the feedback guys ... hopefully it won't be too long before I can get it.

[Lucas_R]

New car opinions - Fabia RS or Octavia 118

^ good choice. The 1.8T in the Octy is a good motor.

[Martin]

gotta get a DSG, as there doesn't seem to be any manuals around, which I would have preffered

You can drive it in almost full manual mode - just no manual clutch

[muli]

Surely a lease car you would get decent price on a Octavia RS, we looked at demo but it sold. Dealer rang back 38k driveaway for a new one.
But bit too much coin for something that'll get little use so looked at a fabia rs wagon but bit scared now after seeing the polo gti thread and on british skoda forums there is people with new engines and still suffering.